Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12841, Benjamin Eaton, N.H.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.H.
Eaton, Benjamin
S 12841
Carded
CONTENTS

New York 277990 Benjamin Eaton Served in the State of N. York he was a priv. in the Company commanded by Captain Stone of the Regt commanded by Col. Scammon in the N. Hampshire line for 13 mo. 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 45 Dollars — Cents per ann. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Jan 1835 and sent to Hon. E. Stevens
  Arrears to the 4th of Sep 34  157. 3    Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 35  22     $180  
{ Revolutionary Claim, As of June 7, 1832
Recorded by Geo. M. Brink City Book E-2 Vol. 11 Page 20.

Michael on the first of Jan 1870 he again returned to the same company under a new contract, for a period of 12 months. At that time the terms of the agreement were as above mentioned. That Michael was one of the persons who collected the money from the other applicants. He did not collect for the name of the other two - Michael.

The time of the said enlistment he resided with his son aforesaid - That from Athol he was marched to Springfield by the way of Worcester and from there went to Charleston Charleston County New Hampshire where he joined the Regiment. Composed of Col. Colonel Ronald Melcher Christian Union of the said Col. That after marching at Charleston he was sent to attack a place where the enemy was entrenched - That he was there at the time of the battle - That he was wounded in the battle - That after the battle he went from Charleston to Castleton and from there to Sheepshead Bay New York State of New York and from there to Fort Lee and then returned to Castleton where they remained for some time and then went to New York City and back to Charleston. That said party was commanded by Major Colburn and arrived at Castleton about the 1st of Nov. 1776. The Com. and Capt. Melcher then arrived at Charleston. That after he returned to Char- leston he remained in that place until about the first of November 1776 when he was discharged. That he did not receive a will or discharge -
That he was born in Atkinson in Rockingham County State of New Hampshire the 12th of Feb. 1749 - That for a record of his life he has his father's family bible now in his possession, which contains the Original record of the time of his birth -
That after the war closed he resided at Atkinson aforesaid until about the year 1783 when he removed to Plain and Grafton County State aforesaid where he continued to live until about the year 1788 then removed to Plain and Grafton County State aforesaid where he remained until about the year 1817 when he removed to the town of Grafton New Hampshire - he was married to Abigail Foster aforesaid when he was about 20 years of age and still resides -
That he has no other evidence of his service than the affidavit to the Revolutionary War -
That in his present neighborhood he is known to Hon. John Noyes, William Benham, William Root, John M c Barney Col. William D. Noyes and Francis Brown and others who can testify as to his character for veracity and

their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
He hereby certifies that every claim whatever to a pension or annuity by or on the part of the present and deceased that he knows as not on the Pension Roll of the Colony of any State.
Given under my hand this 10th day of January 1840.
Very cordially your affec son H. H. Hunsay Dep Clerk Stuben County
Mr David H. Hunsay in the County of Stuben to wit: I of the County of Stuben do hereby certify that in the town of Painted Post there is a resident by the name of Benjamin Huggins who has been well acquainted with Benjamin Huggins who has been here since the above mentioned date. That we believe him to be seventy years of age, that he was a soldier in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that the contents of the foregoing
and subscribed this 10th day of January 1840 David Huggins H. H. Hunsay Dep Clerk
Stuben County, H. H. Hunsay
And the said Court do hereby declare that in pursuance of the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented to the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as in States. And the Court further certifies that it appears that David Huggins who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman residing here in the town of Painted Post and that the house in which he resides is a lot of Painted Post and that the same is a residence of the said David Huggins.
I, Martha S. Hunsay, Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Stuben do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin

Eaton's pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this tenth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
W. H. Ramsay Secy of the Interior

I certify that the above papers copied from the papers of the late Rev. Dr. [illegible] of the [illegible] in the [illegible] situation [illegible] March 2nd 1894 -
I also certify that the above papers are connected with the [illegible] in Benjamin [illegible] have known him about twenty years that during all that time he has always testified a good character without question for truth and morality. Witness my hand April 1894
W. I. Waller The Minister of the Gospel Sept. 30th 1894 1033 3/2

State of New York
Seneca County ss
Jonathan Eaton of Auburn in the said County on being first duly sworn said that he is the brother of John G. Eaton who is now in the prison who has been convicted of a conspiracy to defraud the Government. That in the year 1877 the said John G. Eaton was in the City of Washington D.C. and that in the month of January in the said year he was discharged from the service of the United States and returned to Auburn. That in the month of February in the said year he was again enlisted in a Company commanded by a Captain in the year 1877 and left the City of Auburn for the purpose of procuring a discharge for the said John G. Eaton. That the said John G. Eaton returned to Auburn in Company with said Captain and that he remained in Auburn until the fall of the same year. That when he did return he stated what service he had been engaged in and where the service was rendered and this Deponent has no doubt he was during the time of his absence in the Army of the Revolution.

And this Deponent further saith that in the summer of the year following (1781) the said Benjamin Eaton again entered the said Company at one time in the summer at the said town of Atkinson and left the said town with said Company and did not return until late in the fall of that year and at the time of his return he again stated his services and according to the recollection of this Deponent he was at the several times a number of years and that he was at the several times in the said town of Atkinson at the time of the said Company's encampment which he has heard said that this Deponent was not in the service at any time but resided during the whole of the said time at the said town of Atkinson and knows only the facts of the said Benjamin Eaton's residing at the several times he was in before State, his actions to the said town of Atkinson and the statements made by him as an account of his services as aforesaid —
described and shown to this 10 th day of October in the Open Court in the County of Cumberland to wit: the County of —
Jonathan Eaton
H. S. Ruggles Esq. Esq Station Master

I Gideon Wood of Richford a county of Franklin State of Vermont aged seventy years do testify and say that I formerly lived in the Town of Atkinson Washington County State of New Hampshire in the same neigh- borhood with one Benjamin Caton now residing in the Town of Painted Post State of New York -
That in the month of February 1817 I en- listed under one Capt Benjamin Stone for three years, that the said Caton enlisted the same month or about the same time with me in the company commanded by the said Capt Stone and continued to serve with me in the company until the last of October 1817, when the said Caton was dis- charged at Still Water New York and returned to same
Gideon Wood
State of Vermont ss. The State of Vermont Franklin County ss. Sept 5th 1832
Then personally appeared before the undersigned authority the above named Gideon Wood, a credible witness who made out that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed as Devoir contains is true according to his best knowledge & belief. Before me
William Bridges Judge
State of Vermont Franklin County ss
Witnesseth Sept 5th 1832 I Horace James Clerk of the County Court in and for said County, do hereby certify that William Bridges Esq is Judge of the Court of Probate in said County, duly qualified to act as such, and that the foregoing certificate is signed by him in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof I have here- unto signed my name and affixed the Public seal of said Court the day and year above. Horace James Clerk

Dear Brother, in a letter of the 10th inst.

N o 30372
Joseph ...
...
Notes
Joseph Eaton ...
... Bounty land paid by
... town of Atkinson
77 July 4 th (died in 77.)
[Faint, illegible handwriting at the bottom of the page]

BRIEF in the case of  William Wilson  of  Alabama  in the State of  Alabama  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70 years old  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     In 17 10 6 10 Private Gen. Washington Gen. Washington   1793 1 6 10 Private Gen. Washington Gen. Washington   1794 1 6 10 Private Gen. Washington Gen. Washington   1795 1 6 10 Private Gen. Washington Gen. Washington   1796 1 6 10 Private Gen. Washington Gen. Washington  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Long Branch  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Alabama  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Yes  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

Revised
12841
INVALID.
am
File No. _____
Benjamin E. ...
Br. ...
Act: _____
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Benjamin Wilson of New York
Adm d 13 mo - pro $13.33
by order of the Hon Secy of war June
Hon. E. H. Hall

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

I Ezekiel Belknap of Atkinson in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire being ninety eight years of age do testify and say that I was a Lieutenant in the army of the Rev- olution and was well acquainted with Benjamin Eaton who has made application for a Pension; that he enlisted in the service of the United States in a company commanded by Benj. m Stone early in the spring of the year 1777 for the term of three years He was a minor at that time under the Guardianship of General Nathaniel Peabody, and did not serve his full term but returned in October this term of service could not be less than eight months according to the best of my re- collection and also that the said Benj. Eaton was hired by the said town of Atkinson to go into the army in the year 1780 and entered the service in that year on or about the first of June and marched to West Point and returned in October of the same year, the term of this service was four months and in the year 1781 he entered the service again in the same way and served four months more
Ezekiel Belknap
Sworn and subscribed this first day of Dec A.D. 1834
Before me - Isaac B Hovey Justice of the Peace
I James Dow, of Atkinson in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, being eighty one years of age do testify and say that I was a Soldier in the army of the Revolution, that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Eaton who has made application for a Pen- sion that he enlisted into the service of the United States in the year 1777 in a company commanded by a Capt Benj. m Stone for the term of three years that he en- tered the service about the first of March in the said year 1777 and was honorably discharged in October of the same year making this term of service at least eight months and also that the said Eaton was hired by the town of Atkinson and served in the army of the Revolution four months in each of the years 1780 & 1781 but where these services were rendered I cannot now recollect
James Dow
Sworn and subscribed this first day of Dec. A.D. 1834
Before me - Isaac B Hovey Justice of the Peace

I Daniel Little of Hampstead in the County of Rockingham & State of New Hampshire do testify and say that I am now eighty four years of age that General Nathaniel Peabody's wife was my sister, that I was intimate in his family at the time Benjamin Eaton lived with him and I very well recollect that he, the said Eaton did enlist under Capt. Stone in the year 1777, but as to his services in the years 1780 & 1781 I have now no distinct recollection, but have no doubt that he served as he states
Daniel Little.
Sworn & Subscribed this first day of Dec. A.D. 1834 Before me Isaac B Hovey Justice of the Peace.
I Mary Wood of Atkinson in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire do testify and say that I am sixty eight years of age and that I very well Mr. Benjamin Eaton, my brother was in the service with him and they met at my brother's house after they returned from the army; they enlisted under Capt Benjamin Stone for the term of three years, my brother served his time out, Mr. Eaton did not, but how long he served I can not now remember, but am certain that he was honorably discharged
Mary Wood
Sworn & Subscribed this first day of Dec A.D. 1834
Before me Isaac B Hovey Justice of the Peace
And hereby certify that Ezekiel Belknap, James Dow, Mary Wood & Daniel Little who have given in the foregoing testimony are persons of truth and their statements are entitled to credit and also that it is the general belief in this town & vicinity that Mr. Benjamin Eaton was a Soldier in the army of the Revolution and served as he states in his declaration.
Isaac B Hovey Justice of the Peace
State of New Hampshire Secretaries Office Dec. 3. 1834
The above examined Isaac B.
Hovey is a Justice of the Peace in our County of Rockingham duly qualified and was so at the time of his signature as such without any guarantee. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set the Seal of the State
Walter Metcalf Secretary.

Dear Sir
I enclose herewith the Original Declaration of Br. Eaton's claim pension Application, with Affidavits same with therein to it as soon as we can obtain it. Both to a roll, the case is still pending . The last papers we believe have been sent to you previously for copy . Please advise me of the U.S. & the Application was .
Yours Yours sincerely Wm Lloyd Jones
June 13 th 1834

War Department Pension Office June 17 1834
Sir,
The papers in the case of Benjamin Eaton, are herewith returned. I have made a very careful and laborious examination of the New Hampshire rolls, and his name does not appear on any of those rolls after Feb. 4. 1777. when it is remarked on the rolls, he died.
I have the honor to be Very Respectfully (Yr. Obt. Servt J. L. Edward)
Hon. E. Howell Howell Representative

War Dept Pension R Jan 3 34
Sir
I have the honor to state that the claim of Benjamin Eaton has been again examined. You are apprised of the entry upon the ledger of Scammon's Regt. in which he alleges that he enlisted for 3 years in '77 from the town of Alton and after about six months service was discharged upon the intervention of his guardian. It will readily occur to you that consideration of the highest obligation justify the Dept. in rejecting parol evidence which would contradict a record in relation to a subject which and transpired more than half a century. But if it were admissible to estimate the comparative force of these grades of evidence, it would not be a violent presumption that the entry of his death may have been made upon a false report for the purpose of concealing circumstances attending his leaving the service which would have forfeited for that service his claim to the bounty of the government? At any

event that entry interposes an insuperable difficulty in allowing his pension for that service. If that item be excluded, his claim is reduced to an alleged service of 11 mo in 80 under Capt. Parkman Col. Bayliss & 4 mo in 81 under same officers. For the first term his name appears upon the rolls for 3 mo 15 days but it does not appear that the officers designated were in service in '81 as part of the reinforcements contributed by N Hampshire to the Potomac army in New York. Some further disclosure of proof of the service in '81 is necessary. His claim is suspended & his papers are placed on file. The letter of Messrs Woods & Ramsey is herewith recd.
27 June
This letter was drafted but before it was copied the Hon. E. H. Hemenway came to the desk & informed me that the rolls of '80 to be sent to the service in '79 where claimants death is noted & therefore cannot be
Hon E. H. Hemenway

event that only interposes an insuperable difficulty in allowing his pension for that service. If that item be excluded, his claim is reduced to an alleged service of 11 mo in 80 under Capt. Col. Bartlett Eastman & 4 mo in 81 under same officers. For the first term his name appears upon the rolls for 3 mo 15 days but it does not appear that the officers designated were in service in '81 as part of the reinforcements contributed by N Hampshire to the Continental army in New York. Some further disclosure of proof of the service in '81 are necessary. His claim is suspended & his papers are placed on file. The letter of Messrs Woods & Burnsey is herewith recd.
27 June
This letter was drafted but before it was signed the Hon. E. Brattle came to the City who received the rolls of '80 to be sent to some office or river as to the service in '77 when claimants death is noted & then fine claim it.
Dear E. Brattle

Benjn Eaton claims for
1 st 77- enlisted at Alhambra for 3 years in Scammons Regt & discharge procured by his guardian after abt 6 months service & paid proof of it
2 nd 80 in Eastmans Co. Battal n regt. 4 mo-
81 " " " 4 mo-
Rolls-Ledger
(p. 148. Ledger)
Drummer Benjn Eaton 7 th Co. Dr for bounty paid by Alhambra £17.66
1777 July 4 died
2 nd 1774
(Vol. 3. p. 13)
Found in Eastmans Co. 1780. for 3 mo 15 8
3 rd
no rolls found for the alleged service in '81

State of New York
Steuben County ss Jonathan Eaton of the Town of Auburn in the County of Steuben being duly sworn saith that he is of the age of sixty five years that he is the brother of Benjamin Eaton now of the town of Painted Post in the County of Steuben formerly of the Town of Atkinson in the County of Rockingham in the State of New Hampshire that both the Deponent & the said Benjamin were born in the said Town of Atkinson & resided there the said Benjamin until about forty years since and this Deponent about thirty three years since; when they removed to the said State of New York. And this Deponent deposes for the said that while this Deponent said Benjamin resided at Atkinson as this Deponent thinks in the year 1777 the said Benjamin enlisted as a drummer in Capt. Benjamin Storer's Company in Colonel Seaman's Regiment of Continental Troops as this Deponent has deposed unto in an affidavit by him previously made on the application of the said Benjamin for a pension. And the Deponent  Deponent further saith that the said Benjamin in service there three months each in manner & at the times set forth in this Deponent's affidavit above referred to. And further that this Deponent knows that the said Benjamin Eaton is still living from the fact that this Deponent has been in the constant habit of communicating with the said Benjamin for the last forty years has been been and communicates with him personally almost daily and knows that he is this Deponent's brother the same person who performed the services deposed unto by this Deponent in his said affidavit.
Subscribed & sworn this thirtieth day of July 1833 by the said Jonathan Eaton who I certify is a credible Witness His signature signature to full credit of that now said Jonathan Eaton - before me
Jonathan Eaton
W. Johnson home Justice of the Peace

State of New York Steuben County
I William C. Ball clerk of the County of Steuben County that Magistrate J Schenck Esq before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County - and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and truly believe his signature thereto subscribed is genuine - Witness my hand and seal of office this 30th day of July, 1833.
Wm C. Ball P. H. C. Smith D.C.
affidavit

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Eaton, Benjamin GRADE Private LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8292 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED September 24, 1791 TO Resolve Waldron, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.